Pete was involved in an accident while out walking in Bristol last week and is making a good recovery in hospital. It is unclear when he will be back in action, but we will keep you informed.

I'm sure all members will join me in wishing him a full and speedy recovery. But for the time being, may I request all to refrain from IM-ing or emailing him with your good wishes -- a flood of messages could ensue, and knowing Pete he'd want to reply to all individually, which could be tiring for him.

Had an email from Pete on Sunday. He' s at home now and his injuries are mending well -- the cast is off his left arm and he's playing guitar as part of his physiotherapy. He sounds in good spirits despite having spent time in ICU. But I'll let him fill you in on the details -- he expects to post to MV and the Newsletter in a day or two.

Hey, kids, yes, it's me! I am, I think, pretty much recognisably myself, even facially, despite the fact that my normal-looking right eye doesn't work any more. (It's an accursed nuisance, but I'm philosophical about it on the grounds that it's a price I pay for being alive, since the surgery of which it's the result was performed in order to reduce the catasttrophic pressure inside my head.) Indeed, mostly I think I look as expected (my legs and right arm were not injured at all.)

The accident itself on January 7th - viz my being pontooned (police word) by a bus - remains quite a bit of a mystery even after a friendly, helpful session with the police last week. There simply isn't enough information to be able to give a clear, simple, comprehensible account. I have no memory whatever of the day itself or of most of the week following my hospital admission (thanks to induced coma), so that doesn't help. So I am not driving myself crazy over it.

I have been extraordinarily lucky in several ways, not least in the way my brain seems to function pretty much exactly as before (itself something exceptional in the case of most people hit in the face by a bus, according to the police investigator ). My left wrist was broken which is slowing down my playing - guitar playing in particular - but I'm working on it.

The longest-lasting effects (apart from the physical recoveries) are the result of the fact that it counts as a brain injury, but none of those are deleterious (more good luck).

I'm planning a newsletter in the next few days in which, if I have the energy, I'll maybe include a bit more detail - too much, probably.

Meanwhile, it's simply a huge thank to all of you for all of your concerns. I shall attempt to deserve them.

You more than deserve them--no attempts necessary! I think I can speak for most of the board and say how relieved we are to hear that you'll be able to resume everyday life after this accident. We hope you will make the best and fullest recovery that's possible.

What a truly dreadful experience. I'm glad to hearing you're recovering well. Anything to get out of doing a gig, eh!

Your philosophical stance on the incident rang bells with me; many years ago on the way home from work I was mown down on a crossing by a car accelerating between 30 and 40 mph and thrown 64 feet up the road. I never felt angry about it despite the repercussions. Just grateful to still be here, let alone in one piece and functioning within as normal as parameters ever get for me.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and looking forward to your next gig when circumstances permit.